Treating pathological conflict avoidance typically involves a combination of therapeutic strategies aimed at improving communication skills, increasing self-awareness, and developing healthier coping mechanisms. Harville Hendrix and his wife, Helen LaKelly Hunt explain that by creating safety in couples dialogue, the fear of conflict subsides. They explain, “talking about your fear in the safety of Imago Dialogue paradoxically closes the exit of avoidance” (Hendrix & Hunt, 1988).
What is the treatment for avoidant personality disorder?
Aside from our work life, avoiding conflict can manifest in our romantic relationships, friendships, and even family dynamics. Serial conflict-avoiders will have a series of unconscious maneuvers to get out of fight situations. Maybe you throw out a joke; maybe you get all passive-aggressive; maybe you leave the room, or deliberately change the subject. But if things start to look like conflict, your immediate reaction is to either get out of the situation or somehow change it so that it’s more peaceful, rather than seeing the fight through. Conflict is defined as a clash between individuals arising out of a difference in thought process, attitudes, understanding, interests, requirements, and even sometimes perceptions. A conflict results in heated arguments, physical abuses, and definitely loss of peace and harmony.
When Avoidance Coping Is Actually Healthy
- Conflict is defined as a clash between individuals arising out of a difference in thought process, attitudes, understanding, interests, requirements, and even sometimes perceptions.
- During confrontations, you can try to practice anxiety-management techniques.
- Gradual exposure techniques can help individuals build confidence in handling conflict situations.
It can also negatively affect physical intimacy in a relationship. When two people avoid conflict, it can often lead to how to deal with someone who avoids conflict a decrease in physical intimacy. This happens because when two people are not communicating, they are not connecting on a physical level either. Physical intimacy is about connection, and when there is no communication, there is no connection.
What is the avoidance cycle of PTSD?
Avoidant personality disorder is typically diagnosed in adults, as children’s personalities are still developing and behaviors such as shyness can be normal experiences in childhood that are later outgrown. Avoidant personality disorder can only be diagnosed by a trained mental health professional based on criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). While a family physician can be the first point of contact for a diagnosis, your doctor should make a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional for diagnosis. A 2021 study, for instance, analyzed same-sex relationships and how they managed conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that people were more conflict avoidant during the pandemic, which led to lower levels of satisfaction in the relationship.
Practice Communication Skills
However, this reinforces the belief that the avoided situation is something to fear, further embedding anxiety around it. Understanding this cycle is crucial for those who want to break free from avoidance behavior and engage more fully in life. If you’ve been experiencing avoidance because of your PTSD, reach out to a doctor or a mental health professional with your concerns.
- For example, one person in the relationship may become jealous when another starts spending a lot of their time going out with co-workers instead of coming home after work.
- Australia Counselling stands for affordable, accessible and high-quality mental health support for all Australians.
- Harville Hendrix and his wife, Helen LaKelly Hunt explain that by creating safety in couples dialogue, the fear of conflict subsides.
- Instead, he or she may try reflecting on his or her absolute non-negotiables in the relationship.
- Conflict becomes damaging when it escalates to a point where it hinders productivity, strains relationships, or causes emotional distress.
- This can manifest as constantly rescheduling meetings, making excuses for why now isn’t the right time, or simply never getting around to addressing important issues.
With the right treatment, you can learn to better navigate all of your emotions — even the uncomfortable ones. PE is an exposure technique in which you are gradually exposed to trauma-related thoughts, feelings, memories, or situations in a safe environment. As these cues become less distressing and uncomfortable, your anxiety decreases and your brain learns there is no need to avoid them. In fact, emotional avoidance is part of the avoidance cluster of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, serving as a way for people with PTSD to escape painful or difficult emotions. Your willingness to seek and stay with treatment can have a significant effect on your outlook. With treatment, some people with AVPD can learn to relate to others more healthily.